Self-cleaning fiber optic connection system

ABSTRACT

A self-cleaning optical fiber connector system for ensuring dust or contaminants are cleared from an optical connection interface is disclosed. In one aspect, the optical fiber connector system includes a connector joining first and second connectors. The adapter has a main body defining a central opening within which the connectors are received. The connectors each include a fiber optic cable secured by a ferrule. In one aspect, the ferrule defines an airflow passageway that narrows between a second opening and a first opening proximate an end face of the cable optical core and cladding. The connectors are constructed such that, as each connector is being inserted into the connector, an air flow is generated through the ferrule airflow passageway, and optionally through an exhaust airflow passageway in the connector. The generated airflow clears debris from the exposed end faces. Electrostatic precipitation may also be used to aid in clearing dust and debris, alone or in combination with air flow effects.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/894,204 filed on Oct. 22, 2013, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an optical fiber connection system,including components for connecting fiber optic cables together.

BACKGROUND

Optical fiber distribution systems include fiber terminations which canbe connected to other fiber terminations or devices. Various concernsexist for the optical fiber distribution connections, particularly withrespect to contamination of the exposed ends of the fiber terminations.Such contamination can significantly disrupt and interfere with thetransmission of optical signals. For example, any contamination in thefiber connection can cause failure of the component or failure of thewhole system. Even microscopic dust particles can cause a variety ofproblems for optical connections. A particle that partially orcompletely blocks a fiber exposed end generates strong back reflections,which can cause instability in the laser system. Dust particles trappedbetween two fiber exposed ends or faces can scratch the glass surfaces.Even if a particle is only situated on the cladding or the edge of theend face, it can cause an air gap or misalignment between the fiberswhich significantly degrades the optical signal. Accordingly, there is acontinuing need for improvements to optical fiber connection systems.

SUMMARY

A self-cleaning optical fiber connector system is disclosed. In oneaspect, the optical fiber connector system includes a connector and afirst connector. The connector has a main body defining a centralopening and can also be configured with a receptacle body disposedwithin the main body. In one embodiment, a sleeve member is disposedwithin the receptacle body. In one aspect, the first connector includesa fiber optic cable having a first end face. In one aspect, the firstconnector includes a connector main body adapted to be removablyreceived in the adapter main body central opening. A ferrule may also beprovided that has a main body secured to the cable and that is at leastpartially disposed within the connector main body. In one aspect theferrule defines an airflow passageway that narrows between a secondopening and a first opening wherein the first opening is proximate thefirst end face of the fiber optic cable.

In one aspect, the adapter and first connector are constructed suchthat, as the first connector is being inserted into the adapter mainbody, an air flow is generated from the connector main body recess andthrough the ferrule airflow passageway. The air flow may also bedirected through the exhaust airflow passageway and to the exteriorenvironment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with referenceto the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout thevarious views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a fiber optic connection systemhaving features that are examples of aspects in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure, wherein first and secondconnectors associated with the system are removed from an adapter.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the connection system shown inFIG. 1, wherein the first and second connectors are partially insertedinto the adapter.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the connection system shown inFIG. 1, wherein the first and second connectors are fully inserted intothe adapter.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the connectionsystem shown in FIG. 1, showing an airflow pattern through the firstconnector and the adapter during insertion.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the connectionsystem shown in FIG. 1, showing an airflow pattern through the secondconnector and the adapter during insertion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

A self-cleaning fiber optic connection system 10 for connecting fiberoptic cables is disclosed. As discussed in detail herein, theself-cleaning fiber optic connection system 10 relies upon aself-generated air flow to clean ensure the optical connection from dustand debris that can negatively affect optical performance. Optionally,the connection system 10 can utilize electrostatic precipitation tocollect dust and debris within the adapter 100. In one embodiment, theconnection system 10 includes an adapter 100 configured to receive atleast one fiber optic connector 200. In the particular embodiment shown,an LC type adapter 100 is configured to receive two identical LC typefiber optic connectors 200, 201, and to place fiber optic cables 202associated with the connectors 200, 201 in optical communication witheach other. As the exemplary embodiment disclosed herein utilizesidentical first and second connectors 200, 201, the correspondingconstituent components of the connectors 200, 201 will be identifiedwith the same reference numbers. However, it is to be understood thatthe self-cleaning fiber optic connection system 10 may be with a widevariety of plug, connector, and adapter arrangements and configurations.

As shown, the fiber optic cable 202 has a fiber optic core and cladding204. At one end of the cable 202, the fiber optic core and cladding 204has an exposed end face 206 for interfacing and providing an opticalconnection with another optical device, for example the exposed end face206 of another fiber optic cable associated with connector 201. Thefiber optic cable 202 may also be configured with a number of otherconcentrically arranged layers, such as a buffer layer and an outerjacket. Many other types of cable configurations are possible and usablewith the concepts disclosed herein.

As configured, the connector 200, 201 has a main body 208 having a firstend 210 and an opposite second end 212. A central cavity 214 is providedwithin the housing connector main body 208 extending between the firstand second ends 210, 212. The central cavity 214 is configured toreceive the fiber optic cable 202 which is secured to a ferrule 220 by aferrule base 216. The ferrule base 216 is secured within the centralcavity 214 by a locking body 218 and is biased towards the connectormain body first end 210 by a biasing spring 219. This constructionallows for a biasing force to be applied on the exposed end face 206 toprovide a positive engagement with another fiber optic core and claddingend face (e.g. end face 206 of second connector 201). The connector 200,201 is also provided with a latch mechanism 209 for removably securingthe connector main body 208 to a corresponding catch 104 in the mainbody 102 of the adapter 100.

As shown, the ferrule 220 has a generally cylindrical main body 222 thathas a first diameter D1 and that extends between a first end face 224and a second end 226. In one aspect, the main body 222 has an outersurface 228 and a central axial passageway 230 extending along alongitudinal axis X. As more easily seen at FIG. 4, the fiber optic coreand cladding 204 is disposed within the central axial passageway 230such that the exposed end face 206 is in generally the same plane as theferrule main body first end face 224.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the ferrule 220 also includes a plurality ofradially spaced air flow passageways 235. The air flow passageways 235are for directing air towards and around the exposed end face 206 duringinstallation so that any contaminants present in the adapter 100 or onthe connector 200, 201 are prevented from remaining or depositing on theexposed end face 206 during insertion into the fiber optic adapter 100.As presented, each of the passageways 235 extends from a first opening232 in the ferrule main body 222 to a second opening 234. The firstopening 232 is provided at the first end face 224 of the main body 222and adjacent the exposed end face 206. The second opening 234 is locatedin the ferrule main body outer surface 228 and is disposed between themain body first and second end faces 224, 226. Accordingly, thepassageways 235 extend in a generally axial direction from the first endface 224 towards the second end 226 of the main body 222.

In a preferred embodiment, the first opening 232 has a second openingdiameter or dimension D2 that is less than a corresponding secondopening diameter or dimension D3 of the second opening 234. Accordingly,the resulting opening area of the first opening 232 is less than theresulting opening area of the second opening 234. In such aconstruction, the passageway 235 can have a narrowing cross-sectionalarea as the passageway 235 extends from the second opening 234 towardsthe first opening 232.

As shown, each connector 200, 201 main body 208 is also provided with arecess 236 defined by a recess sidewall 238 and a recess end wall 240through which the ferrule 220 projects. As shown, the recess sidewall238 has a dimension D5.

As previously discussed, each connector 200, 201 is configured to beremovably connected to the adapter 100. As most easily seen at FIG. 1,the adapter 100 includes a main body 102 having a central opening 106within which a portion of the connector 200 can be received. Within thecentral opening 106, an internal receptacle body 108 is disposed whichextends between a first end 108 a and a second end 108 b, and defines aninterior opening 110. As presented, the receptacle body 108 isconfigured to receive the ferrule 220 of the first connector 200 at thefirst end 108 a and to receive the ferrule 220 of the second connector201 at the second end 108 b. In one embodiment, the first end face 224of the ferrule 220 and the first and second ends 108 a of the receptaclebody 108 are each provided with a circumferential taper or chamfer toenable easier insertion of the ferrule 220 into the receptacle body 108.

The internal receptacle body 108 is also shown as being provided with anannular recess 112 between the first and second ends 108 a, 108 b.Within the interior opening 110 of the receptacle body 108, a sleevemember 114 is provided including a plurality of radially spacedapertures 116 that are aligned with the annular recess 112. The annularrecess 112 may also be provided with one or more exhaust ports 118extending to the outer surface 120 of the connector main body 208 toform a passageway with the apertures 116 that places the interior of thesleeve member 114 in fluid communication with the atmosphere or externalenvironment. In one embodiment, the sleeve member 114 is configured as acollection surface electrode via electrostatic precipitation. In such acase, any dust particles or other contaminants 12 residing within thesleeve member 114 will be drawn out of an ionizing airflow passingthrough the sleeve member 114 and towards the interior wall 108 c of thesleeve member 114.

The friction between the sleeve member 114 and the ferrule 220 duringinsertion generates a differential electrical charge on both componentswhich causes the contaminants 12 to become ionized. Also, particle(dust) ionization is generated by electromechanical interaction duringconnector insertion between materials used in the ferrule 220, forexample ceramics and crystalline materials, and the materials used inthe sleeve member 114, for example metal substrates. In response toapplied mechanical interaction (squeeze, stress, friction, twisting orimpact), the dust particles are charged and collected in the requiredsurface (electrode). Direct air ionizing and mechanical interaction(between different materials) can be used alone or together to obtainthe desired electrostatic precipitation effect.

As shown, the receptacle body 108 has an outer dimension D3 while thesleeve member 114 has an interior dimension D4. As configured, dimensionD3 of the receptacle main body 108 is slightly smaller than dimension D5of the connector main body recess 236 such that the receptacle main body108 can be slidingly received by the connector main body 208, but alsosuch that air cannot easily escape between the recess sidewall 238 andthe receptacle main body 108. Similarly, the interior dimension D4 ofthe sleeve member 114 is slightly larger than dimension D1 of theferrule 220 such that the ferrule 220 can be slidingly received by thesleeve member 114 and such that air cannot easily escape between theferrule outer surface 228 and the sleeve member 114.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the insertion process will now beexplained. As shown in FIG. 4, the first connector 200 is inserted intothe adapter main body 102. As the ferrule first end face 224 extendsbeyond the first end 210 of the connector main body 208, the ferrule 220will be received into the interior opening 110 of the receptacle member108 before the receptacle member 108 is received by the connector mainbody sidewall 238 that defines the recess 236. Once the first connector200 is inserted to an extent that the sidewall 238 and the receptaclemember 108 overlap, the recess 236 is closed off by the first end 108 aof the receptacle member 108 such that air trapped within the recess 236can generally only escape through the second opening 234 of the ferrule220. Accordingly, as the first connector 200 is further inserted beyondthis point, an airflow 300 is generated from the recess 236, into theferrule second openings 234, through the ferrule passageway 235, and outof the ferrule first openings 232, as most easily seen at FIG. 4.

As the ferrule first openings 232 have a smaller net area than the areadefined by the dimension D3 of the receptacle body 108, and the areadefined by second openings 234, the airflow 300 is rapidly discharged asa discharge air flow 302 out of the first openings 232, as compared tothe speed of the insertion rate of the connector 200. It is noted thatthe narrowing of the passageways 235 causes air flow acceleration.Accordingly, the accelerated discharge airflow 302 operates to protectthe fiber exposed end face 206 from being contacted by dust particles orother contaminants 12 by acting as a protective barrier and by blowingthe contaminants or dust particles away from the exposed end face 206.Where the sleeve member 114 is constructed as an electrode collectionsurface, the sleeve member 114 can operate to collect the dust particlesor other contaminants 12 that are moved by the discharge airflow 302.Additionally, the dust particles 12, along with the discharge airflow302, can be carried to the exterior of the adapter 100 via apertures 116and exhaust ports 118 to result in an exhaust airflow 304.

Referring to FIG. 5, the second connector 201 is being inserted into theadapter main body 102 after insertion of the first connector 200. It isto be understood that the above described airflow generation for thefirst connector 200 is entirely applicable to the second connector 201,and those aspects will not be repeated here. Instead, the airflowdynamics occurring when a second connector is installed after a firstconnector has been installed will be discussed. As the ferrule 220 ofthe first connector 200 has filled the interior of the sleeve member 114at the receptacle body first end 108 a, the discharge airflow 302generated by the second connector 201 is entirely directed to the outersurface 120 of the adapter main body 102 via the apertures 116 in thesleeve member 114 and the exhaust ports 118. Accordingly, any remainingdust particles or other contaminants 12 are either removed from theinterior wall 108 c of the sleeve member by the ferrule member slidingagainst the interior wall 108 c and/or by the force of the dischargeairflow 302. Once the second connector 201 is fully inserted, theexposed end face 206 of the second connector 201 is brought into contactwith the exposed end face 206 of the first connector 200 with greaterassurance that no dust particles or contaminants 12 are trapped betweenthe exposed end faces 206 which would reduce signal quality. Althoughutilizing electrostatic precipitation in conjunction with producing adischarge airflow within the sleeve member 114 can be advantageous, itis noted that the use of a discharge airflow without electrostaticprecipitation is also beneficial.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical fiber connector system comprising: a.an adapter having a main body defining a central opening; and b. a firstconnector including: i. a fiber optic cable having a core and acladding, the fiber optic cable having a first exposed end face; ii. aconnector main body adapted to be removably received in the adapter mainbody central opening; iii. a ferrule having a main body secured to thefiber optic cable and being at least partially disposed within theconnector main body, the ferrule defining an airflow passageway; c. theadapter and first connector being constructed such that, as the firstconnector is being inserted into the adapter main body, an air flow isgenerated from a recess within the connector main body and through theferrule airflow passageway.
 2. The optical fiber connector system ofclaim 1, wherein the adapter main body includes a receptacle body havinga central opening, the receptacle body and adapter main body defining anexhaust air passageway extending from the central opening to an outersurface of the connector main body.
 3. The optical fiber connectorsystem of claim 2, wherein the adapter and the first connector areconstructed such that, as the first connector is being inserted into theadapter main body, an air flow is generated from the connector main bodyrecess, through the ferrule airflow passageway, and through the exhaustair passageway.
 4. The optical fiber connector system of claim 2,wherein the ferrule is constructed to be received into the receptaclebody central opening.
 5. The optical fiber connector system of claim 4,wherein the connector main body defines the recess at a first endthrough which the ferrule extends and wherein the receptacle body isreceived at least partially into the connector main body recess.
 6. Theoptical fiber connector system of claim 1, wherein the ferrule airflowpassageway includes a plurality of airflow passageways.
 7. The opticalfiber connector system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality ofairflow passageways extends from a first opening proximate the firstexposed end face to a second opening in the ferrule main body.
 8. Theoptical fiber connector system of claim 7, wherein the first opening issmaller than the second opening.
 9. The optical fiber connector systemof claim 8, wherein each of the airflow passageways narrows in adirection from the second opening towards the first opening.
 10. Theoptical fiber connector system of claim 2, wherein the receptacle bodyfurther includes a sleeve member disposed within the central opening.11. The optical fiber connector system of claim 10, wherein the sleevemember includes one or more apertures forming a portion of the exhaustair passageway.
 12. The optical fiber connector system of claim 10,wherein the sleeve member is configured as a collection surfaceelectrode.
 13. A optical fiber connector system comprising: a. anadapter having a main body defining a central opening; and b. a firstconnector including: i. a first fiber optic cable having a first coreand a first cladding, the first fiber optic cable having a first exposedend face; ii. a first connector main body adapted to be removablyreceived in the adapter main body central opening; iii. a first ferrulehaving a main body secured to the first fiber optic cable and being atleast partially disposed within the connector main body, the ferruledefining a first airflow passageway; c. a second connector including: i.a second fiber optic cable having a second core and a second cladding,the second fiber optic cable having a second exposed end face; ii. asecond connector main body adapted to be removably received in theadapter main body central opening; iii. a second ferrule having a mainbody secured to the second fiber optic cable and being at leastpartially disposed within the second connector main body, the ferruledefining a second airflow passageway; d. the adapter being configured toreceive the first and second connectors such that the first and secondexposed end faces are facing each other; e. the adapter and first andsecond connectors being constructed such that, as the first or secondconnector is being inserted into the adapter main body, an air flow isgenerated from a recess in the first or second connector main body andthrough the first or second ferrule airflow passageway.
 14. The opticalfiber connector system of claim 13, wherein the adapter main bodyincludes a receptacle body having a central opening, the receptacle bodyand adapter main body defining an exhaust air passageway extending fromthe central opening to an outer surface of the connector main body. 15.The optical fiber connector system of claim 14, wherein the adapter andfirst and second connectors are constructed such that, as the first orsecond connector is being inserted into the adapter main body, an airflow is generated from the first or second connector main body recess,through the first or second ferrule airflow passageway, and through theexhaust air passageway.
 16. The optical fiber connector system of claim14, wherein the first and second ferrules are constructed to be receivedinto the receptacle body central opening.
 17. The optical fiberconnector system of claim 16, wherein the each of the first and secondconnector main bodies defines a recess at a first end through which thefirst or second ferrule, respectively, extends and wherein thereceptacle body is received at least partially into the first or secondconnector main body recess, respectively.
 18. The optical fiberconnector system of claim 13, wherein the first and second ferruleairflow passageways include a plurality of airflow passageways.
 19. Theoptical fiber connector system of claim 18, wherein each of theplurality of airflow passageways extends from a first opening proximatethe first exposed end face to a second opening.
 20. The optical fiberconnector system of claim 19, wherein the first opening is smaller thanthe second opening.
 21. The optical fiber connector system of claim 20,wherein each of the airflow passageways narrows in a direction from thesecond opening towards the first opening.
 22. The optical fiberconnector system of claim 14, wherein the receptacle body furtherincludes a sleeve member disposed within the central opening.
 23. Theoptical fiber connector system of claim 22, wherein the sleeve memberincludes one or more apertures forming a portion of the exhaust airpassageway.
 24. The optical fiber connector system of claim 22, whereinthe sleeve member is configured as a collection surface electrode. 25.The optical fiber connector system of claim 1, wherein the ferrule andthe connector are configured to generate an electrostatic charge.
 26. Anoptical fiber connector system comprising: a. an adapter having a mainbody defining a central opening within which a receptacle body having acentral opening is disposed; b. a sleeve member disposed in thereceptacle body central opening, the sleeve member being configured as acollection surface electrode; and c. a first connector including: i. afiber optic cable having a core and a cladding, the fiber optic cablehaving a first exposed end face; ii. a connector main body adapted to beremovably received in the adapter main body central opening; iii. aferrule having a main body secured to the fiber optic cable and being atleast partially disposed within the connector main body, the ferruledefining an airflow passageway; d. the adapter and first connector beingconstructed such that, as the first connector is being inserted into theadapter main body, an air flow is generated from a recess within theconnector main body and through the ferrule airflow passageway, whereinfriction between the adapter and the first connector imparts anelectrostatic charge on particles within the air flow that can becollected on the sleeve member.